Chapter 7: Circumstantial Evidence

"What the hell is he doing here?" asked Eric more to himself than to Ryan watching Jake get into the elevator.

"Probably here to see Calleigh." said Ryan then realizing the mistake he had just made hastily added. "Don't think it's anything you need worry about."

"I don't follow Wolfe, why would I worry?" said Eric in an attempt to hide his frustration.

"You can drop the act Delko," said Ryan grinning. "I've seen the way you and Calleigh look at each other when you think no one's paying attention, it doesn't take a CSI to notice that there's something going on there."

"Ok." asked Eric, in acceptance after a moment. "If you don't mind try keeping it to yourself?"

"Sure, believe me no one wants to give Rick Stetler an excuse to walk around here like he owns the place." said Ryan lowering his voice as to not be overheard. "Besides I'm just happy you and Calleigh woke up long enough to see what's been right in front of you for a long time."

"Yeah, real question is what was, he doing here in the first place?" said Eric desperately hoping that Calleigh wasn't reconsidering her decision about their relationship.

"Hey, I think I just found some blood." said Ryan unfolding the paper

"I'll get this to Valera to analyze." said Eric. "With any luck it belongs to our killer."

"I can do that, you need to go down to fire arms and work this out with Calleigh." said Ryan seriously. "To be honest man I don't know how you got her to wait that long for you."

"Thanks Wolfe, I appreciate that." said Eric. "Hopefully Calleigh could match striations."

"Perfect excuse to go talk to her." said Ryan grinning. "Two bird with one stone pal."

"Right, keep me posted on that blood." said Eric walking out of Q.D. when he entered fire arms Eric saw the last thing he ever expected; Calleigh was sitting with her head in her hands. "Calleigh what happened? I just saw Jake in the elevator, did he hurt you?"

"No, no, I'm umm I'm fine, Jake wouldn't, he wouldn't hurt me." said Calleigh trying to regain composer.

"Why was he here? Did he come to harass you?" said Eric steadily getting angrier. "If he tried something I swear to God."

"I called him," Calleigh burst finally. "I called and asked him to come down."

"Why," asked Eric. "After everything that's happened and what he's put you through in the past few years, why on earth would you invite him back?"

"I needed to hear it from him." said Calleigh. "Face to face I had to know why his first instinct was to go and threaten you instead of coming to talk to me. And I guess a part of me was hoping that it wasn't true."

"What about now?" said Eric eyes narrowing and tone harshening. "Do you believe that I was telling the truth now?"

"Eric you know that I trust you unconditionally." said Calleigh taking Eric's hand. "But I had to be sure,"

"Whatever, what'd the snake have to say" said Eric turning away. "Did he tell you that I attacked him for no reason?"

"He probably would've." said Calleigh. "Before he could say anything, I could see it in his eyes."

"What's that?" asked Eris seeing a dark brown hair stuck in a ring on her pointer finger. "That's Jake's isn't it? Ok so where does this leave us?"

"Eric please it's not what you're thinking I swear." said Calleigh.

"Really the way I see it there's one way that hair could get there." said Eric "You kissed him didn't you? I can't believe this."

"We got a match and a hit in IBIS." said Calleigh as her computer search stopped and headed to the door. "I'll get this to Horatio, and for the record Eric I didn't kiss Jake, I slapped him." And with that Calleigh walked as gracefully as ever out of Fire Arms.

"Oh my god. What did I just do?" Eric asked himself as he stood there feeling like the world's biggest idiot. Was it really that simple? One bone head move on his part and he blew any chance he ever had with Calleigh Duquesne, the girl of his dreams. He had lost Calleigh to Jake again, and this time the only person he had to blame was himself. "Smart move Delko." He said walking to the door. "You're together less than 24 hours and you find a way to screw everything up."

Well things are not looking good for Delko but fear not this is a Hip hugger story after all. Every thing's will be fine soon. Sorry for not writing for a while I was busy with visiting family and suffering from serious writers block but I believe I recovered, I'd like to get at least three reviews before posting again. As always thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it.